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Hyundai Tucson key fob problems

46 of the 6,347 owner complaints about the Hyundai Tucson describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
46
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
60,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    3
  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    27
  • 2015
    3
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    3
  • 2008
    1

What owners say

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Electrical · OH

In October 2025, while the vehicle was still under Hyundai’s 5-year warranty, an authorized Hyundai dealership diagnosed a significant electrical failure affecting the ABS/ESC system on my 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was experiencing multiple dashboard warning lights, intermittent key fob malfunction, alarm system failure, and progressive electrical instability affecting safe operation. Dealer diagnostic trouble codes included C120001, C167581, and C164202, with technician notes stating “ABS sensor wiring harness fault found.” The dealership recommended replacement of the wiring harness, estimated at approximately $12,000, but no warranty repair was performed. Since the initial diagnosis, the condition has continued to worsen with additional warning lights and ongoing ABS/electrical system instability. The issue remains unresolved and continues to affect vehicle safety.

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · HI

While driving, I accelerated to merge onto the highway. The check engine light flashed a few times and the engine started wobbling like it was misfiring. I have also been having a parasitic drain on my auxiliary batter that makes the car not open to my key fob that I know works. The dealership told me it was bad fuel, but they “tested the fuel” with no diagnostic report/proof/records, saying that the fuel was bad and had a high concentration of 5% alcohol. They re-did the test and took pictures which shows the fuel is within tolerance but no diagnostic report and are refusing to complete a warranty checkup on my engine/electrical system. Also, the misfires with acceleration due to merging has happened 3 times. From the start back in July 2025 till now.

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Electrical · PA

Front passenger door will not open using the key fob. It has to be opened from the inside door handle. If there was an accident the door would not be able to open from the outside. This is a serious safety issue. There have been numerous issues with this problem. Hyundai should recall these vehicles for this safety issue

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · AZ

Driver's rear passenger door. Locked and unable to open. Was functional then won't open. No safety lock engaged. I can hear the locks when trying to unlock with keyfob. Door handles are attached but can not use to open. Poses a safety issue in case of emergency child can not exit through the door. Will have to use other door to exit.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Fuel system · MA

On May 20, 2025, at approximately 76,100 miles, I attempted to open the fuel filler door on my 2022 Hyundai Tucson and found that it would not release. The car was unlocked and parked, but the fuel door remained stuck. I eventually managed to open it only after a frenzied random sequence of repeatedly pressing the lock and unlock buttons on the key fob while simultaneously pressing on the fuel door. The mechanism finally released after many attempts, but it was inconsistent and unreliable. A second incident occurred on May 26, 2025 at 76,460 miles when I needed to refuel. While I was not stranded, the experience was frustrating and concerning — especially since the vehicle does not appear to have any kind of manual emergency fuel door release. If this issue occurred while low on fuel or far from help, it could lead to a significant inconvenience or hazard. I brought the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership on May 28, 2025 and demonstrated the problem to a Service Advisor. The Advisor that assisted me was unaware of the problem and could not find a recall or Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). Since it is past the 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, I was told the issue would not be covered; I would have to pay out of pocket. However, I’ve read about other 2022/2023 Tucson owners experiencing similar failures, suggesting a possible design flaw in the fuel door actuator or latch assembly. I believe this should be reviewed as a potential defect. Consistent failures of a basic refueling mechanism across multiple vehicles should be taken seriously.

Filed May 20, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · SC

2020 Hyundai Tuscon May I have had numerous incidents where my stereo navigation screen goes black, and then instantly comes back. This happens frequently; whether or not my phone is plugged in. I have stopped plugging my phone into the car. May 1, 2024 As I was backing into my garage this afternoon I started the turn to get into my driveway. I turned the steering wheel tight and it seemed to lock up just like the car had turned itself off. My vehicles main screen went blank along with the stereo navigation. May 16 2024 As I backed into my driveway and straightened my steering wheel position to get into the garage the vehicle screen went black along with the navigation stereo screen I felt the steering wheel tug a little bit along with a knocking noise All lighting quickly came back and then the same exact thing happened again. I then finished backing in and turned the car off. May 18 My husband and I went to the market 1 mile away and as he was backing into the driveway at home the steering wheel locked up then the stereo navigation screen went black and we heard bumping sounds same as before. This happened numerous times in a row going in reverse and forward and we were able to get two videos. After we got the car parked in the garage we tried to open the back hatch to get the groceries out and we were unable to do so manually or with the key fob. At that time, we then noticed that the entire electrical system was down. I then sat in the front seat, tried to turn the car on and it was completely unresponsive. A few seconds later, we were able to open the back hatch along with turning the car on. At this point, we decided to have the car towed in as opposed to driving it in to have it looked at. We have videos of the issue as it happens. But cannot upload to your site

Filed Mar 9, 2024 · MA

Driver side door latch won't open after unlocking with key fob. No warning from inside the car. Have not been to a dealer or independent service center so have not had any inspections. Not necessarily a safety issue at this point but could be in the future. As part of my work, I'm in and out of my car a lot so locking the car is necessary. I should not have to climb over the shift/middle console to unlock it. Should be part of a recall to fix.

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Locks · 23,299 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk failed to open from the inside or the outside using the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the latch was jammed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,299.

Filed Aug 26, 2023 · Body · GA

There are several issues with the rear doors. It started when the rear doors would not respond to being unlocked by the key fob. Then the rear hatch would not open without the back doors being unlocked first, which required (the rear doors) to be opened manually. Finally, the rear driver-side door will not open manually or otherwise; it is stuck shut. All of these issues are grave safety concerns that Hyundai should address.

Filed Aug 26, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · VA

I have been to multiple Hyundai dealerships, and opened about 3 to 4 Hyundai consumer cases; for WELL known engine problems. My vehicle has failed oil tests and combustion tests done by Hyundai dealers. Springfield Hyundai/ Genesis kept my vehicle for 5 months claiming they found issues with the engine that was consistent with the other vehicles recalled for obsessive oil consumption. After their findings, Hyundai corporate decided not to do any repairs, after 5 months! They claim my vehicle is out of warranty and can not carry through the goodwill repair/replacement. Hyundai corporate and I have proof of my engine complaints and failed oil tests before 100,000mi warranty expired (which is why Hyundai submitted a goodwill repair request on my behalf took the car in the first place). My vehicles VIN is not included in engine recall, nor the theft recall. My car has been driven away from the key fob multiple times through the years; indicating it can be stolen. My last communication with a Hyundai dealership, the service manager informed me that engines that have already failed can be submitted. Basically I and others that are trying to be proactive, will have to wait until the engine fails and possibly cause an accident, injuring or killing people!! Due to this fear myself and others have to check and get more frequent oil changes and travel with oil in the trunk to keep the engine from locking up on the highway. This vehicle continues stalling, hesitating, losing power, and loud knock engine noise. I have been complaining of the bad DCT system since 2017 (2nd complaint written to the federal safety agency). Before my limited warranty was expired I've been denied by corporate even when the dealership found issues and admitted Hyundai is screwing over thousands of people and I am just another one. I have every work order and oil change from day one, that indicates that I kept up with the maintenance of my vehicle. I believe Hyundai is not including VIN#s that should be included in recall

Related recalls

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelReported June 23, 2026 · 96,310 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 22, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 304. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on June 25, 2026.

Recall number 26V400000 · Recall details

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelReported January 26, 2026 · 41,651 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on January 28, 2026.

Recall number 26V047000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported November 20, 2024 · 42,465 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
Risk
A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised to use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 273.

Recall number 24V877000 · Recall details

Electrical system: softwareReported December 2, 2021 · 12 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson vehicles. The software installed in the Integrated Central Control Unit (ICU) may be incompatible with the vehicle, which could result in inoperative headlights and/or taillights.
Risk
Inoperative headlights or taillights can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers updated the ICU software, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 214.

Recall number 21V938000 · Recall details

Electrical system: softwareReported August 30, 2016 · 41,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 20, 2015 through May 31, 2016 and equipped with a 7-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission. Certain driving conditions and high temperatures may cause the vehicle to not move if the accelerator pedal is pressed and released repeatedly.
Risk
Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Transmission Control Module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑671‑3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 149.

Recall number 16V628000 · Recall details

Questions about the Hyundai Tucson key fob

Which Hyundai Tucson years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (27 complaints), 2012 (3 complaints) and 2015 (3 complaints).

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